Up, Up and Away

Helicopter, helicopter over my head I spy a color and the color is red.
Ever dreamed of flying in a helicopter, I know Tanner has. He loves airplanes and always thought flying in a helicopter would be cool. We started the new year off making that dream come true. We got the opportunity to fly in the Gateway Canyon Air Tours helicopter over Grand Junction. Tanner, Sam, Jenn, Papa Frank and myself were able to fly from the Grand Junction Aiport out west over canyons of Western Colorado. The helicopter was top notch, you felt as though you were riding in a car. Being able to see this area from above was so great. I see it everday on land but getting a birds eye view allowed you to see how vast the area really is.

Top 11 of 2011

In NO particular order....

1. Bailey
I can't believe it... not it a million years did I think we would bite the bullet and get a dog. Tanner has always wanted one and I have always been so apprehensive. Turns out she is amazing and fits so good into our family. Love that black and white furball even if she does only have one blue eye.


2. Yukon
I waited, saved, waited, saved, waited, saved and then waited some more and finally I got it. Driving a small car for so long really gave me an appreciation for a big one. I absolutely love the fact that I can haul around the kids, their friends, the dog, and anything else I want.


3. Grace
This little bundle of joy brought a lot of light into our family but most importantly back into Jenn and Dan's eyes. Never a replacement for our little man Will but definitely a blessing that changed our lives yet again.


4. Cancer
Made the top of the '11 list...doesn't seem like we should be celebrating cancer. Mom kicked cancers ass and left it in the dust. Something so incredibly devastating brought out a side of my mom that I had never seen before. She got determined to beat it and did. With that said, I am definitely not celebrating cancer but the journey through it and what it taught us all.


5. Vegas
A family trip to Vegas with two nannies was just what the doctor ordered! It was so fun to have the kids along. We were able to spend time with Keith and Aubrey but also do a lot with the kids. Cole and I went to "O" the Cirque du Soleil show and it was absolutely amazing. It was the most incredible experience. The talent and hard work that this people put into their passion is mind blowing. I felt so lucky to be able to go.


6. Italy
My first trip to Europe was indescribable, no words can even begin to describe it. The culture, the people, the history, the land... it was all so incredible. I am so thankful that I had the opportunity and it really opened a new passion for travel. I want to see the world, I want my kids to see the world.


7. Salt Lake City
A girls weekend always makes the top of the list! Jess, Jamey and I headed to SLC for some shopping, eating, bonding and of course a concert. We had such a great time just relaxing and being together. The Sugarland Concert was super cool... Jennifer Nettles is one talented lady. We also had the chance to see Sara Barailles who opened for Sugarland... what a great combination! It made for wonderful weekend away!


8. Peyton
Peyton started cheer at Absolute Dance. She loved going and she was such a great listener. I was really proud of her and how serious she took all the practices. She grew like a weed this year. Her spunky personality and wild curls kept us on our toes all year. Love that girl.


9. Tanner
This guy made some huge progress this year in sports. We are so proud of him. He participated on two competitive teams, one baseball and one basketball. He has had his ups and downs with each one but he has stuck with it and worked hard. He improved immensely in both sports and his confidence continues to grow. Keep up the hard work Tan Man!

10.Jackson
A year would never be complete without our yearly trip to Jackson. Although Cole did not have the results he wanted we still had a great time. It was great for the kids, especially Tanner, to see how Cole handled the situation. It's not easy to fall short of your goals but what you learn from that failure is priceless and I really think that the kids saw that. Here's hoping 2012 brings us some better results!

11. the Smith's
Another event that seems like it shouldn't be on the top of the 2011 list... but it is. I had to experience something that I never wanted to deal with... my best friend moving away. I always knew that as we grew older the chances of our lives moving was a real possibility. Although it has been difficult to not have them right here it definitely made me realize what a great friend I have. I miss her dearly but I know that our friendship will endure anything and that our kids will group up knowing their "extended" aunt, uncle and cousins!

Christmas Day

Christmas morning we were up early, it wouldn't be the same if we slept in! The kids were so excited because Santa had come and not only filled their stockings but left amazing presents. Tanner got a RC car and Peyton got a car that she can drive. Their stockings were filled with candy, toys, movies and more.... moms and dads were filled too and Santa even brought toys for Bailey. The kids spent time going through their stockings as I made caramel rolls (not homemade) and then we had a little breakfast. The kids then immediately headed outside as Santa had already charged their new loot so off they went.

It was fairly cold outside, not a white Christmas, but crisp we came back in to open more presents. The kids ripped through them and were ecstatic about all of their presents. Clothes, nerf guns, movies, Baby Alive, Madden '12 and so much more.

Late morning the McKinleys, the Meyers and Grandma Jane came over to do the cousins exchange gifts. Everyone was so excited. Then ofcourse it was time to feast... deep fried Prime Rib, ham, rolls, cornback, sweet potatoes, pies... we ate until we were stuffed. Then we hung out and enjoyed the time together.

It was another wonderful Christmas... it gets harder every year to out do the past!

A Christmas Reminder

This year Tanner's baseball team the Sting decided to give back. So many companies and people are supporting them that we, as parents, decided that it was time to teach the boys about giving back. We spent the evening of December 22nd serving dinner at the Homeward Bound Shelter. It was such a great experience for not only the boys but us parents as well. It was such an eye opener. This year the shelter was serving record numbers of people. The ability to give them a warm meal and a small gift to the children was such a great reminder of how truly blessed we are. It reminds you that the real reason for the season is much deeper than the sparkly packages laying under the tree. Tanner, Cole and I really benefited from this experience and came home feeling a little more grateful for what we have. We truly are blessed.

Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve day is always such a long day for the kids, the anticipation and the wait just drives them crazy. All day long they just want to open a present! This year that dream came true!

They started the day off at Grandma Jane's since they had a sleepover the night before! Cole and I were at the airport picking up the "gift"! We picked them up at Grandmas and headed back to Fruita to go swimming. We spent the morning at the REC center swimming and playing basketball... it was such a great time and we essentially had the place to ourselves. Grammy, Beck, Cable and Ryder were able to join us!

We left the pool about 10:30 and went home. On the way home I kept telling Cole that my garage door opener hadn't been working so I would just go through the house and open from the inside. The kids didn't pay attention at all to why I was doing that... they could care less they just wanted a snack! I quick ran through the house, grabbed Bailey, put her in a wrapped box, set it on the floor in the garage and opened the door. The kids were confused, I told them I had just found it there when I got back. They ran over to the box, opened it and were in complete shock. I don't think they ever thought they would get a puppy...not in a million years! The looks on their faces were priceless! Tanner kepts saying, "oh my gosh, we got a dog"! I was so happy that we were able to make one of his dreams come true. That boy has ALWAYS wanted a puppy!

After the suprise, all of Cole's family met up at our house to spend the day. We grabbed Subway for lunch and then we had an amazing Mexican feast for dinner. The kids got to open up there presents from Grammy and Beck (money) and Papa Howe (skateboard and scooter) and then their Christmas Eve jammies from Mom and Dad. We watched to movies that afternoon, The Smurfs and Christmas Vacation.

It was the start to a perfect Christmas!